The recent spell of cold weather exposed the poor state of school buildings in many big-city districts where the failure of heating systems closed dozens of institutions after children were left shivering in frigid classrooms. Associated Press, Jan. 10, 2018Full story

Many Pennsylvania charter schools are lackluster, and the law that governs them is among the nation’s worst. So says a report to be released Thursday by Public Citizens for Children and Youth, the Philadelphia-based child-advocacy organization.Philadelphia Inquirer, Jan. 10, 2018Full story

Gov. Wolf on Wednesday will declare Pennsylvania’s heroin and opioid addiction crisis a statewide emergency, making it the eighth state to take such a step amid a public health scourge that has devastated communities and led to a spike in overdose deaths.Philadelphia Inquirer, Jan. 9, 2018Full story

There are 13 neighborhood elementary or middle schools in Philadelphia where more than half of enrolled students come from outside the "catchment" area -- a form of school choice rarely discussed. WHYY, Jan. 9, 2018Full story

After new rules became state law in November, schools are required to provide a regular lunch to every student whether they can pay for it or not. The law is meant to prevent singling out students with unpaid lunch bills.York Daily Record, Jan. 10, 2018Full story

This year, Avonworth High School students arrived at their first period, for the most part, after sunrise. The district recently shifted its first period start time from 7:15 to 8 a.m., and Superintendent Thomas Rolston said his students now pass what he calls "the eye test."

Sensitive financial and personal information will be stricken from all filings in Pennsylvania courts under a new public access policy that went into effect this weekend.Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Jan. 5, 2018Full story

The U.S. Department of Education has warned that Pennsylvania, like every other state, is facing a shortage of teachers. The problem is only going to get worse, experts say.Sunbury Daily Item, Jan. 6, 2018Full story